Arkansas 0-2 after first day of Big Red Tournament

BY ANDRES FOCIL

LINCOLN, NEB. – The University of Arkansas softball team dropped two games Friday at the Big Red Tournament in Lincoln, Neb.

The Lady Razorbacks fell to Nebraska, 6-2, in their first game, and were downed 10-0 against North Dakota State in game two.

The struggling Lady’Backs had just three hits on the day. Junior Dayna Huckabee and freshman Miranda Dixon singled in game one and junior Samantha Buckner got Arkansas’ lone hit in game two.

Seven errors were committed by the Lady’Backs on the day as they fell to 10-21.

In game one, after a walk, an Arkansas error and a base hit in the second inning, the Huskers squeezed one run across the plate on a one-out, bases-loaded walk. Senior Rachel LeMaster then made a diving catch on a line drive to right field, turning a double play with a sharp throw to first base to get the Lady’Backs out of the inning with minimal damage.

Nebraska punched out three more runs in the third inning for a 4-0 advantage behind four base hits and another Arkansas error.

Freshman pitcher Teighynne Hulsey got the start for the Lady’Backs and threw just 2.1 innings before she was relieved by freshman Miranda Dixon. Hulsey gave up four runs on five hits and walked two.

With Dixon on the mound, two errors on two outs in the fifth inning allowed the Huskers two further runs for a 6-0 lead.

Huckabee broke up Molly Hill’s no hitter with a single to left field in the top of the seventh inning. After freshman Jessica Bachkora walked, Dixon singled to right field to load the bases with no outs. Freshman Brittany Robison then reached on a Nebraska fielding error, scoring Huckabee from third base. Bachkora also scored from second on the play as the Nebraska infielder threw the ball away for another Nebraska error.

Molly Hill earned the win on the mound pitching a complete game for Nebraska. Hill walked three and struck out four.

Arkansas managed two runs on two hits and had a season-high five errors. Only two of the Huskers’ six runs were earned.

In game two, North Dakota State jumped out 1-0 after a lead-off walk by Grete Peterson and an RBI single by Kelly Cantrell.

NDSU’s Jandie Weber hit a three-run home run on two outs in the third inning to put the Bison up 4-0.

In the top of the fifth, North Dakota State had six hits, including a two-RBI triple and a home run, and produced six runs for a 10-0 lead that ended the game after five innings.

Arkansas was quiet on offense, tallying just one hit against the Bison, a single through the left side by Buckner.

The Lady’Backs return to Bowlin Stadium tomorrow taking on Nebraska at 11 a.m. and North Dakota State at 4 p.m.

For more information about Arkansas softball, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.